With each passing NFL season, plenty of words are expended on the idea that any team can make it to the Super Bowl. With a little luck, savvy and the blessing of good health, a title game can be waiting for anyone.

That is, unless you do business in the AFC. Because in this conference, it has largely been the Colts, Steelers and Patriots living the good life at everyone else’s expense. They have taken eight of the conference’s last 10 Super Bowl slots, with five victories.

But Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will open the season serving a league-ordered suspension, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is coming off his second offseason in the past three years with a major surgery, and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has the NFL buzzing over his bubbling unhappiness as he awaits a contract extension. So opportunity may be knocking.

WEST

Denver Broncos (8-8 last year)

It’s pretty simple here. A team that in the past two years has traded a Pro Bowl quarterback and a wide receiver with three 100-catch seasons has to find ways to get in the end zone more often. The Broncos ranked 20th in the 32-team NFL in scoring in 2009 and 22nd in rushing touchdowns.

Season opener: Sept. 12 at Jacksonville

Kansas City Chiefs (4-12)

The Chiefs added speed to the roster and some veteran pop on offense in running back Thomas Jones, and coach Todd Haley went for the Patriots’ pedigree when he added Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis to the coaching staff.

Season opener: Sept. 13 vs. San Diego

Oakland Raiders (5-11)

With only 29 victories in the past seven seasons, the biggest change may be the Raiders’ load of optimism. Jason Campbell and Bruce Gradkowski will fight it out for the No. 1 quarterback job.

Season opener: Sept. 12 at Tennessee

San Diego Chargers (13-3)

The Chargers have owned the division because quarterback Philip Rivers is the NFL’s highest-rated passer over his past 39 games. The Chargers are expected to be missing wide receiver Vincent Jackson (suspension and holdout) and offensive tackle Marcus McNeill (holdout).

Season opener: Sept. 13 at Kansas City

EAST

Buffalo Bills (6-10)

Coach Chan Gailey has switched the team’s defensive scheme back to the 3-4 — what it was when the Bills made four consecutive Super Bowl trips in the Marv Levy era. The only time the team has had a winning record since 2000 is the only time the defense has been ranked in the NFL’s top 10.

Season opener: Sept. 12 vs. Miami

Miami Dolphins (7-9)

The Dolphins tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns last season with 22, but they seem determined to become something else on offense with the addition of Brandon Marshall.

Season opener: Sept. 12 at Buffalo

New England Patriots (10-6)

The Pats are teetering. Tom Brady has expressed his frustration about the slow pace of talks for a contract extension. There are a handful of positions up for grabs, including defensive end, inside linebacker and outside linebacker.

Season opener: Sept. 12 vs. Cincinnati

New York Jets (9-7)

Big spenders in free agency, the Jets are trying to be New York’s headline team — with the requisite contract squabbles. But the big issue is whether quarterback Mark Sanchez can make a huge leap in his play in his second year.

Season opener: Sept. 13 vs. Baltimore

NORTH

Baltimore Ravens (9-7)

The Ravens are starting to show a little gray around the temples on defense with the likes of Trevor Pryce (turns 35 on Aug. 3), Ray Lewis (35), Ed Reed (turns 32 on Sept. 11) and Kelly Gregg (33) still at the center of things.

Season opener: Sept. 13 at New York Jets

Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)

The Bengals lead the league in drama as coach Marvin Lewis continues to try to walk the line between gathering players and assembling a team. Signing Terrell Owens just adds to the mayhem.

Season opener: Sept. 12 at New England

Cleveland Browns (5-11)

There are the doldrums, and then there are the Browns. They have only 59 victories since returning to the NFL in 1999 as an expansion team, an average of only 5.4 per season. Team president Mike Holmgren has created some optimism, but how much the team gets out of quarterback Jake Delhomme will have the biggest impact.

Season opener: Sept. 12 at Tampa Bay

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)

Last year, the Steelers lost five games they led during the fourth quarter, in large part because their once-proud running game became a shell of its former self. And the Steelers have done little to fix that problem.

Season opener: Sept. 12 vs. Atlanta

SOUTH

Houston Texans (9-7)

Who led the NFL in passing yards, attempts and completions in 2009? Matt Schaub, that’s who. If the Texans can generate a middle-of-the-pack running game this year, they should earn the first postseason berth in franchise history.

Season opener: Sept. 12 vs. Indianapolis

Indianapolis Colts (14-2)

Wide receiver Reggie Wayne took a pass on the Colts’ offseason work because he wants a new contract. The Colts are working on keeping Peyton Manning until the end of his career. If the Colts manufacture enough defense, they figure to be in the league championship mix again.

Season opener: Sept. 12 at Houston

Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9)

This team is still waiting for David Garrard to be the consistent quarterback they signed him to be. Garrard and an unproven group of wide receivers behind Mike Sims-Walker have to create some scoring punch.

Season opener: Sept. 12 vs. Denver

Tennessee Titans (8-8)

As Jeff Fisher enters his 16th full season as the Titans’ coach, he needs quarterback Vince Young to hold it together longer than eight weeks at a time and he needs 2,000-yard running back Chris Johnson to have another spectacular season.

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